Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Last week we received an invitation from Bishop Peterson to read the Book of Mormon everyday and read the whole book before the end of the year. I hope we will all take that challenge to heart and read it individually or as families and finish the Book of Mormon before the end of the year. Bishop shared with us an observation that most people who start to question their testimony or start to stray from covenants that they have made start off by not reading scriptures daily, especially the Book of Mormon. I want to echo the Bishop's observation. As I have seen it play out with many people who I know.

There is a power in reading the Book of Mormon that I can’t fully explain. What other book was written specifically for a future point in time that was seen over and over again in vision and revelation by many people? The Book of Mormon truly is Another Testament of Jesus Christ. In 2 Nephi, Nephi teaches a lot about the Savior and is where we first learn the name of the Savior in the Book of Mormon 600 years before his birth. 2 Nephi 25:19 is where Nephi shares that the Savior’s names will be Jesus Christ. There are over 4,000 references to Jesus Christ and His many titles in the Book of Mormon. How can we walk away from reading in the Book of Mormon and not have our thoughts turn to our Redeemer?

What I have been taught through the Book of Mormon and the Spirit are things that give me strength, peace, and understanding. I know the Book of Mormon was written for us and allows us to learn more about the Savior and the Plan of Salvation.

May we follow the Bishop’s invitation and receive President Nelson’s following promise:

“My dear brothers and sisters, I promise that as you prayerfully study the Book of Mormon every day, you will make better decisions—every day. I promise that as you ponder what you study, the windows of heaven will open, and you will receive answers to your own questions and direction for your own life. I promise that as you daily immerse yourself in the Book of Mormon, you can be immunized against the evils of the day, even the gripping plague of pornography and other mind-numbing addictions”

Sam Claybrook